How can you light a product photo simply and effectively?

1 Choose your background

The first step to lighting your product photo is to choose a suitable background that complements your subject and your style. You can use a plain white or black background for a minimalist and clean look, or you can opt for a textured or colored background for a more dynamic and expressive effect. You can also use props, fabrics, or natural elements to create a context or a mood for your product. Whatever background you choose, make sure it is smooth, wrinkle-free, and clean.

2 Use natural light

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to light your product photo is to use natural light from a window or a skylight. Natural light is soft, diffused, and flattering, and it can create beautiful shadows and highlights on your product. To use natural light effectively, you need to consider the direction, intensity, and color of the light, and how they change throughout the day. You can also use reflectors, diffusers, or curtains to modify the natural light and create different effects.

3 Use artificial light

Another option to light your product photo is to use artificial light sources, such as lamps, flashes, or LED panels. Artificial light gives you more control and flexibility over the lighting conditions, and it allows you to shoot at any time of the day or night. However, artificial light can also be harsh, direct, and unnatural, so you need to use modifiers, such as softboxes, umbrellas, or filters, to soften and shape the light. You can also use multiple artificial lights to create different lighting setups, such as front, side, back, or rim lighting.

4 Experiment with angles and positions

Once you have chosen your background and light source, you need to experiment with different angles and positions of your product and your camera. You can try shooting from above, below, or eye level, and from different distances and perspectives. You can also move your product closer to or farther from the light source, and rotate or tilt it to create different reflections and shadows. The goal is to find the angle and position that best showcase your product's shape, texture, and details.

5 Adjust your camera settings

The final step to lighting your product photo is to adjust your camera settings to suit the lighting conditions and the effect you want to achieve. You need to balance the exposure, which is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, to avoid overexposing or underexposing your product. You also need to set the white balance, which affects the color temperature and tone of your image, to match the light source and the background. You can use the auto mode or the preset modes on your camera, or you can use the manual mode for more precision and customization.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?